Speed-limit plan for the unforgiving highway

Transit New Zealand has announced a raft of safety measures and is considering a speed reduction trial in an effort to tame one of the country's deadliest highways.

Late yesterday, police and road authorities announced the plans for State Highway 2, including the possibility of reducing the speed limit to improve the worst section through Mangatawhiri and Maramarua.

The road - described by one policeman before Christmas as an "unforgiving" highway - has claimed the lives of 39 people in five years, six since early December.

In the face of mounting pressure, Transit said it would consider a speed restriction trial on the worst 12km section, a measure it initially resisted in the face of police lobbying.

Transit was joined by the police and several other agencies, including Land Transport New Zealand and local councils, in announcing the measures, ranging from large crash-warning signs to raised double yellow lines to discourage over-taking.

These will alert drivers who stray across the centre line by sending audible vibrations through vehicles.

The warning signs will be built by early next month and the centre strips will be installed by June.

Other safety features, such as the excavation of earthen banks above road curves to extend lines of sight, will be ready by June also.

Trees and power lines will also be moved to create "clear zones" between 3m and 9m wide on each side of the highway.

The police have promised relentless enforcement of traffic laws, as well as support for initiatives such as "fatigue stops" along the road.

Transit's Waikato manager, Chris Allen, said many of the initiatives had been on the drawing board before a triple fatality last month.

He said Transit had already asked Land Transport NZ for $43 million to enable work to start this year on 7.2km of curve-free highway bypassing Mangatawhiri, with 4km of new passing lanes in each direction.

Mr Allen said crash analysis data showed passing lanes were not big contributors to road smashes, despite public perceptions.

Waikato's top traffic policeman, Inspector Leo Tooman, acknowledged public opposition to his proposal for an 80km/h limit but was pleased about Transit's agreement to consider a reduction trial.

He hoped the large warning signs and other features alerting motorists to the unforgiving nature of the road would meanwhile "hit them between the eyes" to the extent they would slow down regardless of the limit.

Waikato land transport committee chairman Angus Macdonald welcomed the plans but said some were concerned slowing down traffic may push some drivers into taking more risks to get ahead of other vehicles.

AA public affairs director George Fairbairn said the measures were positive as long as there was some action - soon.

"Let's get on and do it."